Blue Monday has a bit of a reputation. It’s been labelled the ‘most depressing day of the year’ thanks to a mix of grey skies, fading resolutions and the long stretch to spring. But maybe it doesn’t have to be that way. January isn’t something to endure. It may be time to reset. To slow down, recharge and ease into the year in a way that actually feels good. Here are a few gentle Neilson ideas that may help lift the weight of Blue Monday - however feeling better looks for you.
Movement that makes you feel alive
Although it can help, sometimes a strict gym schedule or a new fitness regime isn’t for everyone. Don’t worry, even simple movement can help bring you back to feeling yourself, or movement hidden in having fun.
Perhaps that looks like a gentle morning walk, stretching into a morning yoga flow, swimming a few easy lengths or trying something new just for the buzz of it. When you move for the joy of it – not the outcome – the benefits sneak in. If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, nothing quite beats the feeling of descending a mountain in style, whether on skis or a snowboard. Endorphins fly. Energy rises. Mood lifts.
Rest is productive
Switching off can be its own kind of magic, too. When you step away from the noise, the screens and the scrolling, your mind starts to settle. A quiet walk, a long lunch (even if at work with a colleague), an afternoon nap in the sun… it’s often the simple things that give us the most clarity.
That sense of calm can come naturally when you’re present and immersed in your surroundings – whether you’re up a mountain, by the sea or even in the office or at home. No app required.
Fuel that fills you up
What we eat matters. Not in a rule-bound, January detox kind of way but in how it makes us feel. Fresh, colourful, local food has a way of lifting spirits and energy. It supports wellbeing from the inside out and can turn an ordinary mealtime into something quietly joyful.
Sharing food with people you love? Even better. You don’t have to be overly strict either; remember, balance is key.
Little experiences. Big connections.
It’s often the spontaneous times that stay with us. Laughing through a shared activity. Catching up with friends over dinner. Watching the kids run free while you sip something cold. These are the connections that matter - the ones that allow us to feel a real sense of belonging. Sometimes that’s more powerful than anything.
So, if you’re feeling blue, don’t be afraid to reach out to those around you – they could well be feeling similar to you and will be there to offer support.
So, maybe Blue Monday isn’t something to fix.
Maybe it’s an invitation. A nudge to do things differently, to choose what feels good not what looks good. To move, rest, eat and connect in your own way, at your own pace.
Whether you find that reset on a mountain, by the sea or somewhere closer to home, you deserve a start to the year that leaves you feeling like yourself again.
